Jury Duty Excuse Letter in Michigan

A short letter asking the court to excuse you from jury duty or postpone it. Follow the instructions on your summons first, because courts handle these requests differently, and keep following the summons until the court answers.

What Michigan law says

Who can be excused from jury duty	People 70 or older are exempt from jury service under Michigan law if they ask; the juror qualification questionnaire asks whether a person 70 or older chooses to serve. The questionnaire also asks whether you were paid as a juror in the past 12 months and whether you are a U.S. citizen, speak and understand English, are physically and mentally able to serve, and have a felony conviction. With documentation, additional exemptions are available to active-duty service members and their spouses, nursing mothers, and people in the address confidentiality program; contact the court named on the questionnaire. Source: MCL 600.1307a, 600.1313 (as stated on SCAO form MC 321a)
Penalty for skipping jury duty	Failing to attend court without being excused when summoned as a juror, or failing to appear before the jury board when notified, is punishable by the circuit court as contempt of court. The juror questionnaire also warns that refusing to answer it or answering untruthfully can lead to a fine, imprisonment or both for contempt. Questionnaire warning: SCAO form MC 321a. Contempt fine/jail amounts not read. Source: MCL 600.1346(b), (e) (as quoted in the Michigan Judicial Institute Contempt of Court Benchbook)

Who can be excused from jury duty

People 70 or older are exempt from jury service under Michigan law if they ask; the juror qualification questionnaire asks whether a person 70 or older chooses to serve. The questionnaire also asks whether you were paid as a juror in the past 12 months and whether you are a U.S. citizen, speak and understand English, are physically and mentally able to serve, and have a felony conviction. With documentation, additional exemptions are available to active-duty service members and their spouses, nursing mothers, and people in the address confidentiality program; contact the court named on the questionnaire.

Source: MCL 600.1307a, 600.1313 (as stated on SCAO form MC 321a)

Penalty for skipping jury duty

Failing to attend court without being excused when summoned as a juror, or failing to appear before the jury board when notified, is punishable by the circuit court as contempt of court. The juror questionnaire also warns that refusing to answer it or answering untruthfully can lead to a fine, imprisonment or both for contempt.

Questionnaire warning: SCAO form MC 321a. Contempt fine/jail amounts not read.

Source: MCL 600.1346(b), (e) (as quoted in the Michigan Judicial Institute Contempt of Court Benchbook)

Fill it in

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[today's date]

[your name]

[your mailing address]

[your phone or email]

To: [court or jury office name and address, from your summons]

Re: Jury summons. Juror number: [juror number from your summons]. Reporting date: [date you are told to report].

Dear [jury commissioner, clerk or judge named on your summons]:

I received a jury summons for the date above. I am asking to be [excused from / postponed from] jury service because [your reason, in one or two plain sentences].

I have attached [documents supporting your request, such as a doctor's note, or none].

If my service can be postponed, I can serve on these dates: [dates you are available].

Please tell me in writing whether my request is approved. I understand that I must follow the summons until I hear from the court.

Sincerely,

[your name]

Jury Duty Excuse Letter for other states · Michigan tenant rights

Last verified against official sources: October 23, 2026.

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.